Four-out-of-five Indian women have vitamin D deficiency
The case is more severe in south where 81% women have a vitamin D deficiency, according to SRL Diagnostics.
Low vitamin D levels are widely known to harm bones, leading them to become thin, brittle, soft and susceptible to fracture.
Research studies have shown that vitamin D is important for reducing hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Women seem to have a harder time stimulating the mechanism that builds bone tissue when their oestrogen levels are reduced post menopause, said the company.
Dr Deepa Dave, director of operations at SRL Labs said: “Vitamin D deficiency is a silent disease but people may present with chronic muscle pains, spasms low energy levels, depression, mood swings, and sleep irregularities. Another symptom a person deficient in vitamin D may have is head sweating.
“The person can be advised adding a vitamin D supplement to the diet or even be prescribed vitamin D injections if it is too low. A simple advice would also be going out in the sun every day.”
The firm says cultural and social taboos often dictate lifestyle patterns and clothing choices that may limit sun exposure, while vegetarianism can limit vitamin D rich dietary options.
